“With this spring’s unusually dry
conditions, we are asking people to be especially careful with all types
of fires around their property, and we urge them to implement
defensible space practices around their homes and outbuildings," says
Bill Crapser, state forester with the Wyoming State Forestry Division
(WSFD).

The website is part of Barnyards & Backyards, Rural Living in
Wyoming by the Small Acreage Issue Team, which is a collaborative effort
of the University of Wyoming (UW) Extension, WSFD and other land
resource organizations in Wyoming.

The subjects in how-to articles and
videos include creating defensible space around a house, cabin or
outbuilding; fire-wise plants that can be used in landscapes; and other
steps to prepare for wildfire. There is also information about what to
do after a wildfire, such as rehabilitating the fire line, burned and
stressed tree danger, whether to salvage fire-damaged trees, and water
quality and erosion following fires.

“The Barnyards & Backyards website is
one of the best sites out there for practical information of interest
to rural residents in our state,” says Jennifer Thompson, small-acreage
outreach coordinator with UW Extension. “Visitors can find information
on a whole host of subjects including vegetable gardening, weed control,
water-wise landscaping, tree care, windbreaks, pine beetle management,
grazing management and more. The rich and useful content is the result
of the efforts of resource professionals across the state.”